The Apple iPad Thread

Looks unlikely I will get the model I want given the already sizeable queues...

[Stephen]

I think there are well over 500 people at Covent Garden already! Saw a photo on twitter.

Originally Posted by Stephen

I think there are well over 500 people at Covent Garden already! Saw a photo on twitter.

Great.

[Tezcatlipoca]

Originally Posted by Chris

Motorola must be sick as the proverbial right about now ...

And Samsung, and LG, and...

Originally Posted by peanut

The only good thing about the iPad is that Apple has set a benchmark regarding its price. £329 vs £499 for the Xoom is quite bold I must admit.

More like £479 vs £499 (32GB WiFi only iPad 2 vs 32GB WiFi only Xoom). Although having a 16GB model at only £399 is very good, as not all will want/need the extra space of a 32GB iPad or Xoom or want to pay for it.

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

I'm glad the iPad 2 is out, maybe they can concentrate on fixing iOS 4.3 and getting my 3g connection sorted, maybe get 4.3.1 out asap.....

http://discussions.info.apple.com/me...ageID=13219868

4.3.1 came out today. I can't remember what it does though.

Originally Posted by Damien

Well. I'll be heading down to Regent Street and it's Apple Store after work. Wish me luck. I don't think the store will sell out in under an hour.

So, did you bother trying in the end?

I would have expected it to be sold out before you arrived... or at least before you got to the front of the queue.

Originally Posted by Hugh

I've had mine ordered on-line - when I get back to the office on Monday, I will find out the ETA.....

The Apple website is now quoting 3-4 weeks. I've seen posts elsewhere from people saying they've been given delivery estimates of early May

Originally Posted by Chris

I've been using an iPad for a couple of weeks now and I'm completely sold on the usefulness of the Tablet concept. However, I am still very frustrated with Apple's implementation of it.

The lack of Flash is a major, major irritant. If it were just a few random website videos I'd not mind, but it's absolutely everywhere, especially on the BBC, and not just in their news video. All their interactive stuff uses it as well. I'm simply not prepared to make wholesale changes to the way I use the worldwide web just because Steve Jobs is engaged in some sort of peeing contest with the boys over at Adobe.

I'm also unhappy with the way the stuff you can run on it is limited via Apple's control of the App Store. I want to choose a web browser that I can customize and get running in the way I want it to, for starters.

I've been looking at Android tablets and am thinking that I may look to buy something later this year once there's a decent number of midrange devices running Android Honeycomb.

I've hated Flash since long before Jobs issued his Fatwa against it, and won't miss it once I finally get an iPad. BBC News app (with videos for some stories plus live news video), Met Office weather app, iPlayer app, YouTube app, etc. ... Still, obviously not everyone is like me, and you do still have need of it for some things!

Re. browsers... have you tried any of the alternative browsers on the App Store, such as Atomic, iCab, or Opera?

Android... lots & lots of Android tablets due this year, including "quality" ones (Xoom, Galaxy Tab, etc.) and "budget" ones. Samsung's new Galaxy Tab line up looks quite impressive.

[dilli-theclaw]

Originally Posted by Matt D

4.3.1 came out today. I can't remember what it does though.

Cheers - downloading and installing now, it did mention problems with connecting to mobile networks so I hope it's sorted

[Tezcatlipoca]

Damien, do you have a Currys/PCWorld, Comet, or Argos near you?

Although the 3rd party retailers have apparently got a rather small stock allocation compared to Apple (obviously), they may well also have far fewer early-adopters turning up.

---------- Post added at 19:15 ---------- Previous post was at 19:14 ----------

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

Cheers - downloading and installing now, it did mention problems with connecting to mobile networks so I hope it's sorted

Hopefully

Haven't looked very hard for browsers yet, I must admit ... I had a cursory search then assumed there were none to be found. As for web apps, well I think it's a real shame that so many content providers are forced to produce individual branded apps rather than simply providing everything through the browser. It clutters the iPad desktop (even if you do use folders, and personally I think those look a bit ropey anyway) and presumably increases the provider's development costs. Plus, for the time being, the BBC iPad app is a very, very cut own version of their website, with far fewer news videos attached to stories than you get on the website. It is badly laid out and seems to be different to the website purely for the sake of being different. Sky's news app is a lot better mind you.

Update: I am in the final queue at the Regent Street store. 2 hours in total. I will be getting one as they gave you a card for the one you want when you join the queue.

[dilli-theclaw]

Still not fixed my problem. I am not a happy dilli right now. It's basically converted my iPad into the non 3g one.

[Tezcatlipoca]

Originally Posted by Chris

Haven't looked very hard for browsers yet, I must admit ... I had a cursory search then assumed there were none to be found. As for web apps, well I think it's a real shame that so many content providers are forced to produce individual branded apps rather than simply providing everything through the browser. It clutters the iPad desktop (even if you do use folders, and personally I think those look a bit ropey anyway) and presumably increases the provider's development costs. Plus, for the time being, the BBC iPad app is a very, very cut own version of their website, with far fewer news videos attached to stories than you get on the website. It is badly laid out and seems to be different to the website purely for the sake of being different. Sky's news app is a lot better mind you.

Atomic Web Browser (free version): http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/atomi...355513788?mt=8

Atomic Web Browser (full version, 59p): http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/atomi...347929410?mt=8

iCab Mobile (£1.19): http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/icab-...308111628?mt=8

Opera Mini (free): http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/opera...363729560?mt=8


I have the full version of Atomic on my iPhone. It's certainly worth 59p in my opinion!

The BBC News app is cut down, but for me it's adequate enough for use on my phone, when I just want to quickly check the news etc. I haven't seen it on an iPad though, and I suppose it would seem a bit limited when used on something with a larger screen.

Sky's new Sky News app specifically for the iPad is meant to be very good, from what I've heard.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sky-n...422583124?mt=8

It's only "free for a limited period" though, unfortunately. I don't know if that means it will use some form of in-app subscription, or if the app itself will have an upfront fee.

Originally Posted by Damien

Update: I am in the final queue at the Regent Street store. 2 hours in total. I will be getting one as they gave you a card for the one you want when you join the queue.

Excellent!

I'm surprised. I honestly thought you'd have no chance, turning up when you planned to.

Which version have you gone for?

---------- Post added at 20:24 ---------- Previous post was at 20:21 ----------

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

Still not fixed my problem. I am not a happy dilli right now. It's basically converted my iPad into the non 3g one.

Damn

[Wayfair]

Our local Currys had a chubby handfull of the 64 ones left at 17.20, after the 20 minute mega rush finished, so the salesdude said..

Didn't bother though..

[Tezcatlipoca]

Tesco Direct apparently has stock of all models apart from 16GB 3G (White) & 32GB 3G (White).

Well. After 3 hours waiting, a lot of which took place after I had entered the store, and after all the stores payment systems went down, I have my black 32gb 3G iPad. That was not fun.

Originally Posted by Derek

Could you not have just 'forgotten' to hand back your test unit?

I was tempted - but they had my business card (and we buy a couple of hundred k worth of Apple kit a year, and I didn't want to spoil the relationship.....).

---------- Post added at 21:49 ---------- Previous post was at 21:45 ----------

Originally Posted by Matt D

The Apple website is now quoting 3-4 weeks. I've seen posts elsewhere from people saying they've been given delivery estimates of early May .

My Apple Account Manager has stated Business Customers have a different delivery timescales - I will find out on Monday if she was being economical with the truth.....

[Tezcatlipoca]

Originally Posted by Damien

Well. After 3 hours waiting, a lot of which took place after I had entered the store, and after all the stores payment systems went down, I have my black 32gb 3G iPad. That was not fun.

I'm jealous


Did they provide refreshments while you queued? When I queued up for the iPhone 4 last year, we were supplied with coffee & cakes etc. while we waited


Was that the model you wanted, or just what you were able to get?

May I ask why you chose the size & chose to have 3G? Curiosity!

---------- Post added at 21:52 ---------- Previous post was at 21:50 ----------

Originally Posted by Hugh

My Apple Account Manager has stated Business Customers have a different delivery timescales - I will find out on Monday if she was being economical with the truth.....

Ah

Which one are you getting?

---------- Post added at 21:53 ---------- Previous post was at 21:52 ----------

Oh, Damien, another question. Well, three.

Did you go for a Smart Cover or other case? Polyurethane or leather?

Screen protector?